Fuel-heating apparatus for intake-manifolds



1. w. DURHAM.

FUEL HEATING APPARATUS FOR INTAKE MANIFOLDS.

APPLICATION FILED UCTZ, T920.

Patented sept. 6,1921.

UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE. i' y JOHN W. DURHAM, OF WICHITA, KANSAS.

FUEL-HEATING APPARATUS FOR INTAKE-MANIFOLDS.

To all whom it may concern.' l'

Be it known that I, JOHN W. DURHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing lat Wichita, in the county of ySedgwick and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Fuel-Heating Apparatus for Intake-Manifolds; and I do hereby declare `the following to be a full, clear, and exact descri tion of the invention, such as will enable ot ers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a fuel heating attachment for the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, and the object is to provide a device especially designed to facilitate the starting of the engine in cold weather, by heating the mixture as it passes from the carbureter and before entering the cylinders of the engine.

A further object is to provide for breaking up the mixture'and simultaneously applying heat, in order that the fuel may be light, hot, and readily exploded or fired.

A still further object is to provide an attachment of the type indicated, to be positioned between the carbureter and the engine cylinders, and including a resistance coil for connection with the electric system of the car, with means for maintaininga circuit through the resistance element as long as the operator applies pressure to a contact making device, a very short time being sufficient to provide a mixture which will produce the required result and enable the operator to start the engine in cold weather.

A still further object is to provide an attachment complete in itself, which may be applied directly to the cylinder block, or may be applied to the intake manifold, and the essential feature being that the heat shall be a Y plied to the mixture, and not merely to the uel or the air prior to the mixing operation.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of elements hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 shows the device in operative position, the engine, or a portion thereof, and the carbureter being shown conventionally.

Fig. 2 is a plan section of the attachment on the line 2-2 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of this tubular element, Showing means for breaking up the `Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 6, 19,21.

Application mea october 2, 1920. serial No. 414,198. l

plates 11 and 12 and the edge portion 13.

These plates are apertured as shown near the end portions thereof, the apertures being vdesignated 14 and 15 and registering with the sleeves 16 and 17, this construction permitting the attachment to be secured in the required position.

Each plate is further provided with an enlarged circular opening, at the central portion thereof, and a sleeve 18 positioned between the plates 10 and 11, registers with the large central openings in the plates.

Extending diametrically of the element 18 and having connection with the walls thereof, are plates 19 and 20, serving to break up the stream of vaporized fuel, during the heating operation.

A resistance coil, or element, 21 has connection by means of wires 22 and 23 with the electric system of the car, the coil surrounding or partly surrounding the sleeve 18. A push button 24, or other suitable circuit closing means, is located on the dash board, and the circuit is only completed when the operator presses this push button, or other device, and as long as his finger remains in contact therewith. The resistance element becomes red hot in a very short time and the heat is communicated through the sleeve 18 vto the stream of fuel entering the engine cylinders. y

Suitable insulation is of course provided, an insulating element such as mica being postioned between the coil and the sleeve, and being designated 27. The casing may be lined with asbestos 28, or other suitable material. be applied in a very short time, and is always in position for use when required. It is obvious that modifications in construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is 1. A heating attachment to be disposed in the connection between the carbureter and intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, the same comprising an elongated flat casing widened at a middle point and having a relatively large middle opening forthe passage of the fuel and relatively This device is inexpensive, may

small end openings to receive the fastenings to retain the attachment in operative position, and a resistance element Within the casing and surrounding the middle opening thereof and included in an electric circuit.

2. In a device of the class described, a casing, means mounted therein for conducting vaporized fuel through the casing, an electrical heating element Within the casing' and surrounding said conducting means, a bolt receiving sleeve at each side of the conducting` means and Within the casing, plates attached at the open ends of the casing, each of said plates having perforations registering with the openings in the bolt receivin` sleeve, and having` another perforation to permit the passage of fuel to the engine cylinders. A

3. In a device 0f the class described, a casing, means mounted in said casing for conducting` vaporized fuel therethrough, devices Within said conducting means and extending.,r transversely and longitudinally thereof for breaking up the stream of vaporized fuel, an electrical heating element Within the casing and surroundingthe conducting means, a bolt receiving sleeve at each side of the con ducting means and Within the casing, plates attached at the open ends of the casing, each of said platesl having perforations registering with the openings in the bolt receiving sleeve, and having another perforation to permit the passage of vaporized fuel to the engine cylinders.

In testimony whereof I my signature 35 in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN V. DURHAM. Vitnesses:

J. A. CLARK, l J. WV. SMYTH. 

